To get lodgers? Too many rules?

[Lodgeornot]

Apologies if this is in the wrong place, feel free to move.

I'm contemplating taking in lodgers. I live in a 3 bed house alone in a relatively inexpensive area so could rent out the two spare rooms for up to the £7500 threshold. One is a single, one is a very large attic room.
Based on full occupancy, I could pay of my mortgage in just under 8 years instead of 20. Of course there would be gaps though. I could therefore be mortgage free by roughly 40 years old. I'm not a high earner so this would be brilliant for long term financial security.

I've lived with others in various ways before and whilst I enjoy living alone, the financial sense is currently overruling my desire for solitude. I could make my bedroom into my sanctuary opposed to it's current 'place of being unconscious so what does it matter'.

I would have some house rules though, which I don't know if they're unreasonable.

1. female only house. All male visitors must leave before a certain/reasonable time (if at all).
2. variable bills not included (gas, electric, water).
3. no alcohol or drugs in the house.

I know many would say I'm being unreasonable about the alcohol and that people may want boyfriends over. But these are non-negotiables for me.

So, am I too much of a stick in the mud to have lodgers? Or could my house end up being a good safe housing situation for single women on a budget? I would of course advertise with the rules so no one wastes their time.

Honestly, I am really not sure you’re cut out for this. I think a really successful arrangement only works when you actually want to do it for the fun of having interesting people around, and not just for the money. If you’re really determined then I would take on just one lodger for a trial period or look at something like Monday-Friday.com. Also, incidentally, I used to rent out a spare room myself and the candidate who would probably have fitted your ideal lodger was an absolute nightmare, blocked the loo, complained about everything and walked out without paying the rent- I had to write her a very shirty email to get it back (despite being very relieved). OTOH I had a single 40 something male lodger Monday- Friday who was a dream, out at the crack of dawn, barely saw him and he changed lightbulbs 👍

I don't allow my lodgers to have overnight house guests.

I think some Mumsnetters are getting confused about the difference between lodging in someone else's house vs. being in a house share, renting a place on your own or renting a single room in a building with others renting other rooms.

There are benefits and disadvantages to each one and renter needs to weigh these up and make a choice.

A lodger lives under the rules of the house owner and typically wont be expected to play music loudly, leave their things around the house, crank up the heating to 25 degrees 24/7 or have visitors, overnight guests etc.. but they will also have much lower costs, more flexibility on how long they stay and will pay an inclusive price for room and bills.

At the end of the day it's a choice. If you don't like the sound of it then buy or rent your own place or sign up to a house share. But expect to be named on legal documents, tied into a contract and to pay a lot more for it.

As others have said I think you will probably want to reflect on this a bit more.

Having been a lodger in a similar position in the past and having had friends who have had lodgers in their houses both short term and long term my thoughts/advice is

First off before thinking about what rules you are going to have people live by think about how you will feel sharing your house with another person.

Will you resent them using your kitchen? Will you want to be in the same sitting room as them? Will you eat with them or allow them to cook separately? Will you give them their own fridge? Own cupboard? Will you provide basics - tea, coffee, milk etc or will they have to buy their own? Will you want to be with them at the weekends?

How do you feel about someone else having a key to your house and being able to come and go when they want with you having no idea or control? Would you be happy them being at home in the daytime whilst you are at work? What about if someone works night shifts? Will you resent them if you come home from work tired and they are sat watching Pointless?

Then think about how you are going to get the lodgers - best source is people you know/ friends of friends etc: can you advertise at your workplace, do you know people locally looking for housing? Having a personal connection with the lodger will lead to a more fulfilling relationship and may even lead to a friendship/ you wont resent them as much.

Think about realistically how appealing your bedroom would be. Who are the people who will want to have a room in a house? Are you near a university or hospital or other large employer? Where are in relation to the town centre/do you have parking available? You state that you live in an inexpensive area - why would people pay for your bedroom if they could get their own house/flat for little more? What can you offer that a room in a shared house doesnt?

As others have said I think you are being optimistic to rent out two rooms - unless you are in a city centre location where there is strong demand the single will be hard to let. The double will be the most attractive and give you the most privacy as the lodger will have more scope to spend time in their room.

Having a large double room available sounds great - furnish it minimally with basics and it should go fine. Go for the basic wood/ minimalist 'Ikea' look and it should be very appealing.

If you are not letting out the single I would create a study/dressing/living room for yourself so that you have somewhere for yourself.

Think finanically - you will have increased expenses including probably having to buy some new furniture - maybe a new mattress/bed etc. You will also have increased general costs - electricity, gas, general wear and tear etc.

And bank on the fact that your room may be empty for two - three months a year. In many cases the lodgers will only be for a short term - the value of lodgings is that they are short term for people who dont want a minimum six month contract, eg someone who needs accommodation whilst they find somewhere to live. If they are going to stay in the area longer term they will want to get their own place if as you say its not expensive.

And make sure you get a deposit, ideally one months rent but even if only an amount, say £100, so that people are committed to you and will want to get their money back.

And wor d your advert carefully - describe you age and temperment - ie 'Quiet 30s single woman professional seeks similar as lodger' etc. That way you should get someone suitable and the expectations will be implicit rather than you having to give them a page of rules and reguilations.

I’ve had lodgers in London for 12 years.

The most difficult time was when I was in my mid-30s and rented rooms to alcoholic artistic types ages 25-30 who’d had years of living in flat shares, who were open, with good social lives, colourful private lives, etc. But was clear they really did not want to be lodgers if it wasn’t for the housing market. It really didn’t work with me lording it over them trying to exercise any authority over how they lived.

Now I am in my 40s I tend to rent to students half my age, and it works much better. The roles are much more clear. I’m male and it has mostly been to men but there have been a few women too.

I don’t let the lodger use the lounge after once one student took it over for the year. But I tend to let them have first dibs on the kitchen and if it turns out they like to cook, I’m happy to let them take all the time they want. Also if they want a friend or two over that’s also fine, though if they were in a relationship I’d rather they nearly always went to their partners house. I’m a very cold fish permanently single so I wouldn’t really want to be living with someone conducting a relationship here.

SpareRoom is where I hear from the majority of potential lodgers. Though OpenRent generates quite a few enquiries now too.

I haven’t had to ask anyone to move out early in the last 6 years but it happened quite a few times in the bohemian years!

I know someone who just took a lodger. They were quite picky on who they would let the room to, bills were included but no alcohol/bf/gf in the house also applied plus a set of other quite restrictive rules.
Lots of applicants and they found the one prett quickly. I guess it depends if your area is in high demand.
I would stick to one person tho. Good luck OP, we are thinking of getting a lodger, too.

Sorry, wrong thread

As mentioned the additions for bills is a bit 'off'. Why take 2 lodgers. Take in one other and then think if you can manage without being a minority in your own home. Also, try the water out. Advertise (I use spareroom) and if you meet prospective lodger before letting room you can size them up. You can always say 'no'. I've found it better to be up front. I put on my advert that I like peace and quiet, and am very much daily telegraph and radio 4 person which sums me up quite well.
But the help in finances is enormous. Go for it.

Your house. Your rules
You need to be happy in your own home. You have personal reasons for your rules.... so be it.
Try local church or places you frequent to advertise
Places like Spareroom.com are very popular but unlikely to find the right fit there...
If no one replies you'll know its too restrictive.
Bills normally included for lodgers.
Add in your advert that no wfh, and no alcohol or drugs and no overnight sleepovers.
See what happens.
Good luck

My friend years ago was very successful with a Monday to Friday lodger. We are a university city and he just needed someone in the city whilst he worked.

I do think bills need to be included.

I'm a live in landlord, so coming at it from that perspective.

First thing I'd ask is - have you houseshared in the past and if so did you enjoy it or did you always crave your own space? Ignore the odd awful housemate - did you enjoy it overall?

The rules are incredibly prescriptive and do point towards someone who doesn't actually want to share their space, but just wants money, which is always a red flag.

However, you might find someone from a Muslim background who needs to move for work and will be looking for this sort of environment - but they might not be keen on the idea of you eating bacon. Teetotal lesbians might be another niche target market.

Your average lodger is in their 20s, white, not in a serious relationship, and will probably drink to some extent and wish to date. To a certain extent you will need to loosen up.

Work out your rules and expectations e.g. use of bathroom and kitchen (do you need a rota?), heating surcharge, guests, noise, no drugs or drunkenness etc. Guests may not be only overnight anyway, can they have friends visit during the day, spend all day hanging around your house then go home? You may not be allowed to have locks on bedroom doors but lockable cupboards or separate storage is worth thinking about.

The thing is you can't control everything but if you word your advert carefully and interview well you should find the right sort of lodger for you. Give it a go, Mon-Fri is best and if you don't like it bring the arrangement to an end.

I live in a house share 6 adults one bathroom I can tell you now it’s hell on earth for just one bathroom for that many people I’m actually moving out next month because of it and no alcohol is ridiculous not to mention no bills included just way to much don’t get lodgers they will resent you

I don’t think it sounds impossible. I’ve lodged in houseshares which say no overnight guests and day guests to be kept to a minimum. Sometimes it’s a pain but plus side you don’t meet other lodgers boyfriends nipping to the bathroom in their pants or hear them through the thin walls.

I’d prefer bills were included. Thus can include a fair use policy and you can detail them so not part of £7500 allowance. For example charge £360 rent and £140 bills council tax, water, gas and electric. Monthly check all bills and make sure on track. Normally this is set a little high as builds a buffer and it’s easier to give someone £50 when they move out than to make them pay it on departure.

It’d be normal for me to keep a bottle of wine but it wouldn’t bother me as reduces likelihood of drunken or stoned flatmates